At 2.5 ― set off to Rail. 2.45 ― Rail ― at Reading came in Col. Blandy (?― who used to be Major of the [Bax] Militia. pleasant fellow. Alone from Pangbourne to [Farringfd Road] ― there by 5.25. Found a Fly sent for me ― long & cold 6 mile drive: numbed & chilled. At Buckland House, a [flask] of the [illegible] ― by 6.15. Found all very friendly. But wish Julia G. were here. Dinner

Pleasant & chatty. Evening also. Sang ― &c. &c. But the place is cold, & I am the same.

For ― ‘right or wrong[’] ― having gone in for this Subscription ― the matter can’t be [blinked]: ― & as the 350 letters must be various & polite ― & friendly ― & respectful, & what not, it is necessary pour y mettre la tête. Of course one isn’t to set to work at writing as good letters as one can, but they must be concise & decent.

So I worked hard all day: stopped at 5 ― & walked about the room: & at 5.45 ― dined: ― writing again till 10 ― by which time I had finished 100 ― & huming nature could no more. ―

But this is my last subscription work ― come what will.

As I wrote the letters alphabetically, the confusion of circumstance is odd enough.